Honey Pumpkin Bars
Sweet and spicy Honey Pumpkin Bars combine rich pumpkin flavor with warm cinnamon and ginger, topped with a creamy glaze and nuts—perfect for fall gatherings or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 3/4 cup honey ⓘ
- 3/4 cup softened margarine ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 16 oz can pumpkin ⓘ
- 2 cups flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Grease a jelly roll pan.
- Beat sugar, honey, margarine, eggs, and pumpkin in a large bowl.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, except glaze and nuts.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool.
- Drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the margarine with unsweetened applesauce. If you want to enhance the flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract. For a twist, try using maple syrup instead of honey. Make sure to check for doneness with a toothpick, as baking times may vary with different ovens.
Serving Suggestions
These Honey Pumpkin Bars are delightful on their own but can be elevated with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They pair wonderfully with a hot beverage like chai tea or coffee. For additional flavor, consider serving alongside a slice of Sour Cream Orange Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Honey Pumpkin Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for a week. To reheat, simply place a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. They can also be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Honey Pumpkin Bars contains roughly 336 calories, with 4g protein, 76g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (54% of the Daily Value), iron (32% of the Daily Value), and calcium (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1337mg per serving (58% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh pumpkin! Make sure to cook and puree the pumpkin before measuring it out. One medium pumpkin will yield about 2 cups of puree, which is perfect for this recipe.
What can I substitute for eggs in this recipe?
If you're looking for an egg substitute, you can use flaxseed meal or applesauce. For each egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water, or use 1/4 cup of applesauce. This will help maintain the moisture and binding in the bars.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that your blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture. This way, you can still enjoy these delicious bars while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).